Belts and straps equipped with a device for fastening the excess part

ABSTRACT

Belts (1, 20, 30), straps or similar items are described, equipped with means adapted to fasten their free end, such means being applicati to the free end of the belts, straps or similar items. The items can be belts for clothing, straps for shoes and leather goods in general, for watches, for costume jewelry or jewelry bracelets, and can be applied in all cases in which it is necessary to fasten the excess part; the means adapted to fasten the free end comprise a retention device (3, 32), applied to a hole (1c, 20c, 30c) of the belt (1, 20, 30), adapted to connect the free end (1a, 20a, 30a) of the belt (1, 20, 30) to a part (1b, 20b, 30b) of the belt (1, 20, 30), which adheres to the body of the person who wears it, the retention device (3, 32) being equipped with first means adapted to hook the adhering part (1b, 20b, 30b) of the belt (1, 20, 30), and second means adapted to hook the free end (1a, 20a, 30a) of the belt (1, 20, 30).

The present invention refers to belts, straps or similar items equippedwith devices adapted to fasten them around the body of those who wearthem, in particular to fasten their free end. The items can be inparticular belts for clothing, straps for shoes and leather goods ingeneral, for watches, for costume jewelry or jewelry bracelets, and canbe applied in all cases in which it is necessary to fasten the excesspart.

In case of fastening the excess part, the problem is solved, accordingto the prior art, through the use of a passing-through element, namelyan element having a squashed annular shape, which is inserted on thebelt or strap and wherein also the free end of the belt or strap ispassed. However, this solution has inconveniences, since thepassing-through element tends to move. If it moves towards the buckle,in practice it does not perform its function any more, while, if itexcessively moves on the opposite side, the free end the belt can betaken off.

Another prior art solution, rather more efficient, provides for the useof a particular type of buckle which passes the free end of the beltbelow the belt itself. This solution is technically valid, but only whenthe excess part is particularly short. In fact, on the contrary, thisexcess part could slide upwards or downwards any anyway freely oscillateoutwards. However, also when the excess part is particularly short, andtherefore this solution is technically valid, it must be taken intoaccount that a belt is an item of clothing and, as such, subjected tothe fancy of fashion creators. In other words, a stylist is scarcelyinterested in a technically valid solution, which is not in line withhis aesthetic canons. Another problem, paradoxally, is that this type ofbuckle scarcely damages the belt, in particular damages it much lessthan a common buckle, with the consequence that the belts last a longtime and this is negative for the market.

Object of the present invention is solving the above prior art problems,with a belt, strap or the like as claims in claim 1, wherein the belt,strap or the like are equipped with means adapted to keep their free endadherent to the body of the person which wears them; their feature isthat these means comprise retention devices, applied to a hole of thebelt, adapted to connect the free end of the belt with a part of thebelt itself which adheres to the body of the person who wears it, theretention device being equipped with first means adapted to hook thepart of the belt, which adheres to the body of the person who wears it,and with second means adapted to hook the free end of the belt.

Preferred embodiments and non-trivial variations of the presentinvention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

It is intended that all enclosed claims are an integral part of thepresent description.

It will be immediately obvious that numerous variations andmodifications (for example related to shape, siyes, arrangements andparts with equivalent functionality) can be made to what is described,without departing from the scope of the invention as appears from theenclosed claims.

The present invention will be better described by some preferredembodiments thereof, provided as a non-limiting example, with referenceto the enclosed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a belt without retention means of its free end;

FIG. 2 shows a belt equipped with a first retention device according tothe present invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are respectively a perspective view and an exploded viewof the first retention device according to the present invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show this first retention device in three orthogonal and,respectively, sectional views;

FIG. 7 shows a different way of using the first retention device;

FIGS. 8 (a, b) show a belt equipped with a particular type of buckle andwith a second retention device of the invention;

FIGS. 9 (a, b, c) show this particular type of buckle in section;

FIGS. 10 (a, b, c) show this second retention device in section.

The described embodiment refers to a belt for clothing and thereforesentences like “adhere to the body of the person who wears it” will beused. In case of other uses (straps for shoes, straps for watches), theabove sentence must be intended as “fastening of the free end on thebelt itself” and such meaning must also be intended for the claims.

With reference to FIG. 1, (1) designates a belt, equipped with a buckle(2), whose free end (1 a) is not kept by any retention means. As clearlyappears, this free end (1 a) is detached from the part (1 b) of the beltwhich adheres to the body of the person who wears it, the part (1 b)being kept taut by the buckle (2).

FIG. 2 shoes the same belt (1), with the same buckle (2), but with thefree end (1 a) kept in position by a first retention device (3), whichis interposed between the free part (1 a) and the taut part (1 b) of thebelt which adheres to the body. The first retention device (3) isapplied to the belt (1) next to the last of the holes (1 c) andcomprises means adapted to hook the taut part (1 b) which adheres to thebody.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first retention device (3), whileFIG. 4 is an exploded view of the device (3).

FIG. 5 shows with three orthogonal views the first retention device (3)of the invention. This device (3) comprises first means adapted to hookthe taut part (1 b) of the belt (1) and second means adapted to hook thefree part (1 a) of the belt (1).

According to a preferred embodiment, these first means, adapted to hookthe taut part (1 b) of the belt (1), comprise a upper fixed end (4) bentas a hook, and a lower moving end (5), of the device (3), which arefastened to the upper and lower edges of the taut part (1 b) of the belt(1). The lower moving end (5) rotates around a pin (6) configuring alower end of the device (3) bent as a hook, in order to be fastened tothe lower edge of the part (1 b) of the belt (1).

According to a preferred embodiment, the second means, adapted to hookthe free part (1 a) of the belt (1), comprise a screw (7) which isscrewed in an element (8) which is preferably inserted in the last oneof the holes (1 c) of the free part (1 a) of the belt (1). According toa preferred embodiment, the element (8) is a blind threaded bush and isequipped with a flange (8 a); the cylindrical part (8 b) of the bush (8)is inserted in the hole (1 c) of the belt (1), which is thereby blockedbetween the flange (8 a) and the screw (7).

FIG. 6, which shows the first retention device (3) in section, pointsout the first and second means for hooking the first retention device(3) to the belt (1). Moreover, FIGS. 6 (a, b, c) show in a sequence theopening of the lower part (5) to separate the free part (1 a) from theadhering part (1 b) of the belt (1).

The lower moving end (5) comprises a part, wherein a hole is obtained tohouse the pin (6), shaped in order to have a first and a second mutuallyperpendicular surfaces (5 a) and (5 b) at a same distance from the axisof the pin (6). The surfaces (5 a) and (5 b) are coupled with a part (9a) of an elastic element (9), so that this part (9 a) presses on one orthe other of the surfaces (5 a), (5 b), in order to keep the lowermoving end (5) in a closed or open position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the elastic element (9) is a smallplate made, for example, of harmonic steel and kept adherent to the bodyof the first retention device (3) by a pin (10), which is inserted intoa suitable hole of the first retention device (3), the small plate (9)being bent as a straight angle for form the part (9 a).

In FIG. 6a , the lower moving end (5) of the first retention device (3)is in a closed position, namely in the suitable position to hook theadhering part (1 b) of the belt (1). In this position, the bent part (9a) of the elastic element (9) presses on the first surface (5 a) of theelement (5), keeping it in its closed position. In FIG. 6b , the lowermoving end (5) is opened to un-constrain the free end (1 a) of the belt(1) from the adhering part (1 b), this opening being performed byrotating the end (5) as shown by the arrow. Since the two surfaces (5 a)and (5 b) are perpendicular, the rotation of the end (5) generates adistortion of the elastic element (9) which, with its bent part (9 a),will press against the second surface (5 b) (FIG. 6c ), keeping themoving end (5) of the first retention device (3) in its openingposition.

According to a preferred embodiment, the moving end (5) is equipped witha pair of beaks (11) which, delicately pressed against the adhering part(1 b) of the belt (1), enable the stability of the fastening performedby the first retention device (3), the pressure being exerted by theelastic element (9) which presses with its bent part (9 a) against thefirst surface (5 a) of the moving element (5).

In the described embodiment, the first retention device (3) is fastenedto the belt through a screw (7) which is screwed in a flanged threadedbush (8). Altrernatlively, a threaded pin could be used, welded onto theplane part of the first retention device (3), on which the flangedthreaded bush (8) is screwed, or a screw can be used which is screwed ona cylindrical, internally threaded, bush, which is an integral part ofthe first retention device (3).

In other words, the screw (7) or the bush (8) can be made integral withthe body of the retention element (3).

FIG. 7 shows a belt (20) equipped with a buckle (21), of the type whichmakes the free end (20 a) of the belt (20) be placed below the part (20b) which is tensioned by the buckle (21). Also in this case, like theone shown in FIG. 2, the free end (20 a) is kept in the correct positionby the first retention device (3), which is interposed between the freepart (20 a) and the part (20 b) of the belt which is tensioned by thebuckle (21). The first retention device (3) is fastened through thescrew (7) which is screwed in the element (8) which is inserted in oneof the holes (20 c) of the taut part (20 b) of the belt (20). The onlydifference consist in that, in this case, the device (3) is applied ontothe taut part (20 b) and is fastened to the free part (20 a), while inthe case shown in FIG. 2, the device (3) is applied to the free part (1a) of the belt (1) and is fastened to the adhering part (1 b) to thebody of the person which wears the belt (1).

FIGS. 8 (a, b) show a belt (30) equipped with a buckle (31) and with asecond retention device (32). FIG. 8a shows the belt (30) as appearswhen worn, but before having stopped the free part (30 a) against thetaut part (30 b), while FIG. 8b shows in particular the internal part ofthe belt (30) in the end to which the buckle (31) is connected through ascrew (33).

The buckle (31) is shown in FIGS. 9 (a, b, c) and comprises a lower part(34), bent as a hook, and an upper part (35), rotatable around a pin(36).

The upper moving end (35) comprises a part, wherein a hole is obtainedto house the pin (36), shaped in order to have a first and a second,mutually perpendicular surfaces (35 a) and (35 b) at a same distancefrom the axis of the pin (36). The surfaces (35 a) and (35 b) arecoupled with a part (37 a) of an elastic element (37), so that the part(37 a) presses on one or the other of the surfaces (35 a), (35 b), inorder to keep the upper moving end (35) in its closed or open position.

In the plane part (38) of the buckle (31), there is a pin (39), holedand internally threaded, wherein the screw (33) is screwed, with whichthe buckle (31) is fastened to the belt (30), after having passed thepin (39) of the buckle (31) in a hole (not visible) obtained at an endof the belt (30).

FIGS. 9, (a, b, c) show in a sequenze the closure of the upper part (35)to block the belt (30), after having adjusted it around the waist, theblocking being enabled by some beaks (40) obtained on the upper movingpart (35).

FIGS. 10 (a, b, c) show the second retention device (32). Like the firstretention device (3), it comprises an upper part (41) bent as a hook anda lower part (42) rotatable around a pin (43) and controlled by elasticmeans (44). The second retention device (32) is connected to the belt(30) through a screw (45), which is screwed in a blind threaded bush(46), equipped with flange (46 a), which is inserted with a cylindricalpart (46 b) into a hole (30 c) made of the free part (30 a) of the belt(30). By applying the second retention device (32) to the free part (30a) of the belt (30), the moving element (42) allows correctly adheringthe free part (30 a) of the belt (30) to the taut part (30 b) of thebelt (30).

Obviously, both the first (3) and the second (32) retention devices, inaddition to the buckle (31), can indifferently be assembled along bothpossible directions, according to one's own aesthetic taste. The claimswill anyway keep the terminology used in the description.

1. A belt or strap equipped with means adapted to keep a free end of thebelt or strap adherent to a body of a person who wears the belt orstrap, wherein said means comprise a retention device adapted to hookthe free end to a part of the belt which is tensioned by a buckle, theretention device comprising: first means adapted to connect theretention device to a first part of the belt; and second means adaptedto hook the retention device to a second part of the belt, the secondmeans being adapted to hook the retention device to the second part ofthe belt and comprising a first upper fixed end, bent as a hook, and asecond lower moving end, rotatable around a pin, which are respectivelyfastened to the upper and lower edges of the second part of the belt. 2.The belt or strap according to claim 1, characterized in that the firstmeans adapted to connect the retention device to the first part of thebelt comprise a screw which is screwed in an element which is insertedinto one of the holes of the first part of the belt.
 3. The belt orstrap according to claim 1, characterized in that the first meansadapted to connect the retention device to the first part of the beltfurther comprise a first upper fixed end, bent as a hook, which isfastened to an upper edge of the first part of the belt.
 4. The belt orstrap according to claim 2, characterized in that the element is a blindthreaded bush and is equipped with a flange which is inserted, with itscylindrical part into the hole of the belt, the first part of the beltremaining blocked between the flange and the screw.
 5. The belt or strapaccording to claim 2, characterized in that the screw or the bush areintegral with the body of the retention element.
 6. The belt or strapaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the second means, adapted tohook the retention device to the second part of the belt, comprise asecond lower moving end, rotatable around a pin, which embraces thesecond part of the belt. 7.-15. (canceled)
 16. The belt or strapaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the lower moving endcomprises a part, wherein a hole is obtained to house the pin, shaped inorder to have a first and a second, mutually perpendicular surfaces andat a same distance from the axis of the pin, the surfaces and beingcoupled with a part of an elastic element, so that the part presses ontoone or the other of the surfaces, keeping the lower moving end in itsclosed or open position.
 17. The belt or strap according to claim 16,characterized in that the elastic element is a small plate kept adherentto the body of the retention device by a pin which is inserted into asuitable hole of the retention device, the small plate being bent as astraight angle to form the part.
 18. The belt or strap according toclaim 1, characterized in that it comprises a buckle equipped with firstmeans adapted to connect the buckle to an end of the belt, and secondmeans adapted to hook a second part of the belt.
 19. The belt or strapaccording to claim 18, characterized in that the first means adapted toconnect the buckle to an end of the belt comprise a screw which isscrewed in a threaded pin integral with the body of the buckle, thethreaded pin being inserted into a hole made next to the end of thebelt.
 20. The belt or strap according to claim 18, characterized in thatthe second means adapted to hook the second part of the belt comprise alower part, bent as a hook, and an upper part, rotatable around a pin,which are respectively fastened to a lower edge and to an upper edge ofthe second part of the belt.
 21. The belt or strap according to claim20, characterized in that the upper moving end comprises a part, whereina hole is obtained to house the pin, shaped in order to have a first anda second, mutually perpendicular surfaces and 35 b at a same distancefrom the axis of the pin, the surfaces and being coupled with a part ofan elastic element, so that the part presses onto one or the other ofthe surfaces, keeping the lower moving end in its closed or openposition.
 22. The belt or strap according to claim 21, characterized inthat it has one or more beaks, on the moving elements, which, delicatelypressed against the second part of the belt, enable the stability of thefastening performed by the retention device and the buckle, the pressurebeing exerted by the elastic element which presses with its bent partagainst the first surface of the moving element.
 23. The belt or strapaccording to claim 16, characterized in that the elastic element is madeof harmonic steel.
 24. The belt or strap according to claim 17,characterized in that the elastic element is made of harmonic steel. 25.The belt or strap according to claim 21, characterized in that theelastic element is made of harmonic steel.
 26. The belt or strapaccording to claim 22, characterized in that the elastic element is madeof harmonic steel.
 27. The belt or strap according to claim 3,characterized in that the screw or the bush are integral with the bodyof the retention element.